Best Used Dodge Full-Size Truck - Ram

Dodge spent many decades of their existence as a truck manufacturer playing third fiddle in an industry dominated by extremely popular offerings from Ford, GMC and Chevrolet. The F-150 spent so many years at the top of the sales pantheon that Dodge began to despair that their D-Series and Ram pickups would ever be able to gather the momentum needed to topple this undisputed trucking giant. As the 1980s drew to a close, a revitalized Dodge began to push for a way to finally muscle their way into the full-size truck race and become a true contender.

In 1994, Dodge made their breakthrough with a completely re-designed Ram that abandoned the slab-sided styling of the previous generation of truck and instead aped the enormous front grilles and bulging fenders found on the 18-wheelers that roamed the American landscape. Suddenly, most of the other trucks on the market paled in comparison when positioned beside the ultra-macho Ram. Not only did the vehicle feature an imposing design, but it also offered the largest engine in the business – the first V-10 ever available in a pickup. This dual attack of power and presence would finally allow Dodge to connect with buyers who had previously never considered straying from their Ford or Chevy roots.

The automaker rode an enormous sales wave that would see them almost quadruple the number of units moved by the end of the decade. However, once their competitors had introduced their own brand-spanking new truck designs, inspired in part by Dodge’s radical effort, the Ram began to fade from the pubic consciousness. Realizing that the time had come to freshen a design that had begun to grow tired Dodge went all out, not only plus-sizing the vehicle’s body work but also improving the chassis, the suspension and the engine selection. This helped to give the Ram a new lease on life in the minds of buyers, but it also transformed the truck by giving it a far smoother and more controlled ride than it had ever previously exhibited. Perhaps most surprisingly, the Ram was for the first time outfitted with an independent rear suspension that was strong enough to handle heavy towing and hauling while still providing excellent response on rough or uneven terrain.

This article touches on both the standard Dodge Ram 1500 and its larger, heavy-duty Ram Heavy Duty cousin. Together, these vehicles represent the best used full-size trucks available from Dodge, and have placed the company firmly back into competition for the title of best pickup in North America.

2002 – 2007 Dodge Ram 1500

Pickup trucks are notorious for offering a bewildering level of different configurations, in an attempt to cover the needs of every possible buyer. The 2002 – 2007 Dodge Ram helps to simplify things somewhat by providing only two possible body styles, a regular cab and a crew cab. Both can be ordered with a bench seat in the front, giving the crew cab a total seating capacity of six. A Mega Cab option was made available in 2006 which added a full 20 inches of passenger room at the expense of a somewhat shortened box. The 2002 – 2007 Dodge Ram can be equipped with such niceties as dual climate control and leather seats, along with power door locks, windows and other high end items, or it can be kept as simple as possible in order to provide a vehicle suited to harsh work environments.

The Dodge Ram continues to offer a range of engines that are at the top of their class when it comes to power and innovative technological features. A 3.7-liter, 215 horsepower unit is provided in entry-level editions of the truck, but most vehicles are found with a 235 horsepower 4.7-liter V-8 that also produces 295 lb-ft of torque. For the first year of production a 5.9-liter V-8 was the highlight of the truck’s engine lineup, but it was soon replaced by a much more potent, 345 horsepower edition of the company’s 5.7-liter HEMI. This engine was in turn updated with displacement on demand technology in 2006, which allowed the Ram to save on fuel by shutting down a bank of cylinders when the vehicle was decelerating or cruising at a stable speed. Smaller engines are offered with a 4-speed automatic or 6-speed manual transmission while the HEMI is only available with a 5-speed automatic.

With robust four-wheel drive, excellent towing capacity and brawny good looks, the 2002 – 2007 Dodge Ram is a worthy used full-size truck that holds its own against tough competition in the market.

2003 – 2007 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty

Dodge’s heavy-duty edition of the Ram pickup didn’t make its re-styled debut until one year after the lighter Ram 1500, but it was worth the wait. The 2003 – 2007 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty (or HD) is notable for its much stronger hydro-formed boxed frame and more robust suspension design that is intended to handle loads that would cause the Ram 1500 to strain and protest. As a consequence of its design, the Ram Heavy Duty feels much more truck-like, trading some passenger comfort for extra durability under the skin.

The base engine for the 2003 – 2007 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty line of trucks is the 5.7-liter HEMI, which produces the same 345 horsepower and 375 lb-ft of torque as it does in the Ram 1500. However, serious towers will make sure that their truck is equipped with Dodge’s excellent 5.9-liter common rail injection turbo-diesel V-8. This workhorse of a motor produces 325 horsepower and 600 lb-ft of torque, ensuring that not only can the Dodge Ram Heavy Duty pickup haul an ultra-heavy load of 23,000 lbs (when ordered as a dually) but that it can also keep pace with the flow of highway traffic no matter what the situation. Four-wheel drive is also available, and in fact, 75 percent of Heavy Duty pickups are ordered with the diesel engine and the 4x4 option. This explains why Dodge dropped their 8.0-liter V10 engine from the HD lineup after the first year of production.

Given that the 2003 – 2007 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty trucks can be ordered as Mega Cabs as well as Crew Cab pickups, it is no real surprise that they are often found in the form of well-equipped comfortable, long distance tow rigs with all the bells and whistles like leather seats, a CD player and an excellent center console. This used full-size truck is a hard-working choice for anyone needing a vehicle that never makes excuses when it comes to towing, performance or power.